Dear CA GOP:

To paraphrase President Reagan’s phrase from 1962, it seems like I’m not leaving the Republican Party, but the Republican party appears to be trying to leave me. Since my political “awakening” during the ‘70’s there have been times that I’ve had to question where my principles place me on the political spectrum.

Throughout the turbulence of the Nixon Era, I’ve stood by the Party, as I reasoned that what a dishonest man did in Washington shouldn’t be the measure of my values and the people I support.

After President Ford bested Ronald Reagan for the Party nomination in 1976, I stood behind him since I was certain he’d promote better policies than Jimmy Carter. The Carter Presidency proved me right and I was rewarded for my devotion with 8 years of President Reagan.

When President George H.W. Bush told me to “read his lips” on the issue of new taxes, the promise of continued prosperity kept me holding firm to my Party and working to continue the Reagan Revolution. Of course, once the lip reading was finished so was Bush 41, but I persisted in the hope that my local candidates would learn a valuable lesson in… Read More

I don’t support Donald Trump.

Trump’s tough talk is scant cover for a shallow, disengaged intellect. He has shown astonishing dishonesty on even the most petty issues. His affable embrace of anyone who flatters him shows a desperate and easily manipulated hunger for celebrity accolades. His sudden and convenient conversion on a host of issues is more than little suspect – it shows either a mercenary malleability or simple deceit. And, his transparently feigned faith is offensive.

But if Trump wins a majority of Republican voters and “party leaders” try to scheme away the nomination, it won’t be the “short fingered vulgarian” who tears the party apart – it will be party elites who claim to be trying to save it.

A Trump win is hardly a foregone conclusion, but ignoring – or worse yet, dismissing – the real and visceral issues driving Trump’s support would be a terrible mistake and a betrayal to the principles of self-governance.

The issues driving voters to him have very little to do with Trump and everything to do with the failings of GOP leaders… Read More